FINES of almost half a million pounds were dished out in the past year in a litter crackdown.

Glasgow wardens led the charge against litterbugs by handing out fines of up to £50 to more than 18,000 people.

With the Commonwealth Games just months away, more than £350,000 in on-the-spot fixed penalties were issued in Glasgow in the 12 months to November.

Across Scotland, 23,204 fines were imposed on those caught littering, with the vast majority given for tossing cigarette butts, which accounted for 20,261 penalties.

Edinburgh City Council imposed the second-highest number of fines, issuing 1592 with a total of £50,350.

North Lanarkshire wardens imposed 1105 fines – worth a total of £23,434.

The cleanest areas were East Lothian and the Borders, where only four litter fines were issued.

Mark Findlay, North Lanarkshire’s environmental protection manager, said: “Litter is highlighted in our residents’ survey as an important issue communities want the council to address.

“We take a robust approach by targeting the people who drop litter with fixed-penalty fines, keeping our streets clean, and educating the public about the problems caused by litter.”

Last year, the Scottish Government held a consultation to devise a new strategy on littering, with results expected in the coming months. Officials say they plan to raise the minimum litter fine from £50 to £80.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said the city had a zero-tolerance policy on litter.

She said: “The Clean Glasgow initiative aims to create an environment where dropping litter and creating graffiti is recognised as socially unacceptable behaviour.

“We work proactively to reduce it.

“One example of this is our dedicated team of uniformed, highly-visible, Community Enforcement Officers.

“They patrol the streets and can issue fixed-penalty notices to those found dropping litter or allowing their dogs to foul public places.”

Environment charity Keep Scotland Beautiful welcomed the figures.

Carole Noble, the group’s head of environment services, said: “We strongly support Scottish Government plans to increase the level of fixed penalty from £50 to £80 next year.

“However, financial deterrent is only part of the solution. On its own it’s unlikely to change littering.”